Students from Monzón win an AI contest with a challenge set by Ercros

A team of Higher Level Vocational Training students in Computer Science from the IES Mor de Fuentes of Monzón has won the first edition of the IATHON Acelera Aragón, thanks to an artificial intelligence (AI) solution developed to solve a challenge posed by the Ercros factory in Monzón.

The event, organised by the Acelera Pyme Office of CEOE Aragón and Tecnara, the Cluster of ICT, Electronics and Telecommunications Companies of Aragón, recognised as an Innovative Business Group, brought together more than 100 participants, distributed in 11 teams, who worked to respond to the technological challenges proposed by seven companies in the area.

Rafael Mancho, head of the Ercros factory in Monzón, was in charge of presenting the company's challenge, called "Going for color, without trial and error", which consisted of finding a solution to improve the color formulation process of the plastic compounds manufactured in Monzón. Currently, this process requires different tests and adjustments to be carried out until the desired color is achieved.

The winning team developed an AI-based tool that uses historical factory data to predict the most suitable pigment combination. This solution would reduce the number of tests needed, save time, and optimize raw material consumption.

The jury valued the innovation, development and application possibilities of the proposal, which could also be used in other companies in the industrial sector.